Live Edge Review - July 3-10, 2021

[dleahy4444]

Hi just wondering if there are many kids in the retreat area if anyone knows. I have nothing against children, just hoping for a quiet place to unwind and read . I know I can go to the solarium but that is covered so I think I’d prefer to be poolside in the retreat. I am on the 7/10 sailing so I know the amount of children on that sailing may be totally different. Just trying to get a general sense. Thanks

[TeeRick]

42 minutes ago, dleahy4444 said:

Hi just wondering if there are many kids in the retreat area if anyone knows. I have nothing against children, just hoping for a quiet place to unwind and read . I know I can go to the solarium but that is covered so I think I’d prefer to be poolside in the retreat. I am on the 7/10 sailing so I know the amount of children on that sailing may be totally different. Just trying to get a general sense. Thanks

For estimate, if there are 1000 guests on board then 50 total unvaccinated.  Many of these will be kids under 16.  So in The Retreat I might expect a few to be there with their parents.

[dleahy4444]

3 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

For estimate, if there are 1000 guests on board then 50 total unvaccinated.  Many of these will be kids under 16.  So in The Retreat I might expect a few to be there with their parents.

I hadn’t thought of it that way. Thank you

[George C]

2 hours ago, TeeRick said:

For estimate, if there are 1000 guests on board then 50 total unvaccinated.  Many of these will be kids under 16.  So in The Retreat I might expect a few to be there with their parents.

Definitely a few but not many children, we just docked in St. Thomas we are the first cruise ship to dock in over a year , masks are mandatory inside stores and suggested everywhere, unvaccinated passengers can only do ships tours. My wife is ready to go shopping.

[tonto524]

Crown Bay or Havensight??

[PTC DAWG]

7 minutes ago, tonto524 said:

Crown Bay or Havensight??

Looks like Crown Bay to me....

 

https://www.cruisemapper.com/?imo=9812705

[tonto524]

4 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Looks like Crown Bay to me....

 

https://www.cruisemapper.com/?imo=9812705

Thanks.

[KKB]

17 hours ago, MamaFej said:

FTR: eating and naps are activities. 

 

In 2014, we could not watch the Kings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the Millenium. In 2019, we  could not watch the Dodgers in the World Series on the Eclipse. Two crew members tried to find it for me, but it wasn’t possible. I hope you have better luck. 

In 2004 we did watch the World Series on the Star Princess.

In 2005 on DCL we watched NU play in a bowl game--DCL had a projector & screen in the sports bar & gave us ping pong balls to throw at the screen. Lots of fun.

In 2007 on the Star we managed to get the pub to find March Madness on a bizarre feed where we couldn't hear commentating but we could hear the conversation of the commentators.

 

But as DH just said--finding sporting events on cruises is VERY hit & miss. Always felt they don't grasp American/Canadian passion for our sports. Now...usually no problem finding soccer matches on a cruise...

[kwokpot]

7 minutes ago, KKB said:

But as DH just said--finding sporting events on cruises is VERY hit & miss. Always felt they don't grasp American/Canadian passion for our sports. Now...usually no problem finding soccer matches on a cruise...

It's not that they don't understand people want to watch sports but it's the COST of getting the Satellite Feed of American Sports coverage. In some instances they may not even be able to obtain a feed regardless of the price.

[KKB]

8 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

It's not that they don't understand people want to watch sports but it's the COST of getting the Satellite Feed of American Sports coverage. In some instances they may not even be able to obtain a feed regardless of the price.

Didn't consider the cost--good point.

Our  experience showed feed could be tricky.

 

Fun port story--in Curacao New Years Day 2013 & Huskers were in bowl game. DH & DF found a bar & asked if they could get it on the TV. Bartender tosses them the remote & says if they can find it they can watch it. They found it! Somehow DH found us on  the beach (MILES long--he had NO idea where we were!) so we had a blast...watching the Huskers get clobbered...

[kwokpot]

Just now, KKB said:

Didn't consider the cost--good point.

From what I understand certain Satellite TV channel transmission fees require a PER Passenger charge which probably means the cruiseline would have to pay monthly fees for max passenger capacity per ship for certain satellite TV channel re-broadcasting.  

[graphicguy]

There are all sorts of theories about which sporting events the ships broadcast, which news channels they broadcast, etc.  I think it’s a cost thing, too.  I see lots of soccer (futball), BBC, SkyNews, etc.  Those are probably the least expensive programming choices.  In addition, those choices also steer clear of any sort of regional sources for information.  The last news cast I recall watching  on a cruise ship was when Bin Laden was found and executed.  That was playing in an outside pool bar on what I think was a Carnival ship.

 

I have seen, on rare occasions, some NFL broadcasts.  But, they were playoff games.  Outside of that, soccer…soccer….soccer.

[kwokpot]

37 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

The last news cast I recall watching  on a cruise ship was when Bin Laden was found and executed.  That was playing in an outside pool bar on what I think was a Carnival ship.

Carnival has gone Full streaming for their shipboard TV services. They only news station is CBSN, no CNN,Fox,or any of the major Networks. 

[dleahy4444]

2 hours ago, George C said:

Definitely a few but not many children, we just docked in St. Thomas we are the first cruise ship to dock in over a year , masks are mandatory inside stores and suggested everywhere, unvaccinated passengers can only do ships tours. My wife is ready to go shopping.

Thanks. I’m used to RCCL pre Covid tours where there are plenty of kids so I’m always trying to carve out some quiet spots to decompress. Enjoy St Thomas!

[NutsAboutGolf]

If you already have paid for streaming wifi and have access to an app that play the game you want, you could get a VPN app which will trick the app into thinking you're in your home country.  VPN app usually aren't free yet many offer a free week long trial.  This was how I was able to watch the NFL playoff in Singapore as the ship (NCL Jade) didn't have it on any TVs.

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

If you already have paid for streaming wifi and have access to an app that play the game you want, you could get a VPN app which will trick the app into thinking you're in your home country.  VPN app usually aren't free yet many offer a free week long trial.  This was how I was able to watch the NFL playoff in Singapore as the ship (NCL Jade) didn't have it on any TVs.

Celebrity has blocked many of the better known VPN apps.  Also you will not even be able to search for  "VPN" while on the ship.     Speaking from personal experience about a year ago but don't expect that to have change. 

 

On the positive side many of the ships wifi is run through Miami and show as being in the U.S. 

Edited July 6, 2021 by Jim_Iain

[George C]

5 hours ago, tonto524 said:

Crown Bay or Havensight??

Most of us was hoping for Havensight but we got Crown Bay, weird being downtown St Thomas with very few passengers compared to normal, many shops and restaurants still closed . We were the first cruise ship in a year to sail to St Thomas.

[kwokpot]

43 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

On the positive side many of the ships wifi is run through Miami and show as being in the U.S.

That's not necessarily the case. The Satellite wifi signal bounces all over the world.  I regularly use Google maps while on a cruise and you can be in the Caribbean and the GPS will show you being at a cruiseport in Russia, or Manhattan, or anywhere else in the world. It will literally place you on board a ship that's docked else where.  This has been my experience across all cruiselines for many, many years.  

[39august]

Expect all RCG ships to dock at Crown Bay until 2027. I believe that is the date the 10 year contract between RCG and Crown Bay will expire. One nice thing about Crown Bay is there is a local ferry from Pickles pub over to Water Island, or used to be.  I think it was free, but only went at posted times. Also, a free open air lorry met each arrival to take anyone to the nearest beach.

[ItsADryHumor]

4 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Carnival has gone Full streaming for their shipboard TV services. They only news station is CBSN, no CNN,Fox,or any of the major Networks. 

Probably better that way. 🤣🤣

[countess5]

Was able to watch the Eagles win the Super Bowl on Harmony! 

[dleahy4444]

On 7/4/2021 at 9:51 AM, elf426 said:

The Drinks and More package includes $50 in free play at the casino, so the cost of the upgrade after accounting for this was minimal. To redeem you see the cashier at the casino and they transfer it to your card, which you then activate at any machine. There are other perks like access to your minibar, but this was the deciding factor for us.

Hi I just bought the drinks and more package for our 7/10 sailing. First time on Celebrity in years and first time on the Edge so I’m not sure how it works. I too thought it worth it because of the casino free play. Just wondering what they stock the mini bar with. Are they small bottles of premium brands such as Gray Goose, Jameson etc? Any water, soda or mixers? Wine? Not that we are going on a cruise to drink alone in our room, but just wondering since we might want to have a drink on our balcony etc. Did you do the wine tasting yet? Was it the standard type they usually have for a fee? Also, what are your thoughts on the casino, particularly the slots?  Thanks so very much for your posts. It really is a help!! Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, kwokpot said:

That's not necessarily the case. The Satellite wifi signal bounces all over the world.  I regularly use Google maps while on a cruise and you can be in the Caribbean and the GPS will show you being at a cruiseport in Russia, or Manhattan, or anywhere else in the world. It will literally place you on board a ship that's docked else where.  This has been my experience across all cruiselines for many, many years.  

May be true but all I can say is most of the TransAtlantics and all of the Caribbean, I could access Netflix without the VPN.     They use GeoLocation designated by the IP address to determine access not necessarily the GPS location which is what I use VPN for.  

[elf426]

Someone had asked earlier about the duty free prices. I hope these lists answer your question.

[kwokpot]

17 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

May be true but all I can say is most of the TransAtlantics and all of the Caribbean, I could access Netflix without the VPN.     They use GeoLocation designated by the IP address to determine access not necessarily the GPS location which is what I use VPN for.  

You've been lucky then since that hasn't been our experience. My husband is an IT specialist and he regularly tries to download Netflix series episodes while on a cruise. When the GPS shows the location to be other than the US it was impossible for him to download any episodes. When the signal bounces again and shows we're in the US he's able to download. As I said this is consistent and not something that happens occasionally,but every cruise we're on when using cruiseship satellite wifi connection.

Edited July 6, 2021 by kwokpot